Gnarly J's lands liquor license

June 11, 2013|By Dawn Rhodes, Chicago Tribune reporter

The owners of Gnarly J's finally secured a liquor license after months of hearings before village officials (Dawn Rhodes, Tribune photo)

Owners of a Downers Grove recreational center took a big step toward securing a liquor license in the village after three months of hearings and meetings that pit them against a deadline to keep their business.

Nick and Jennifer Telitz, who own Gnarly J's at 1211 Butterfield Road, got the news they were looking for on Thursday night, when the village's liquor commission unanimously recommended them for a license that was created, in part, because of their efforts.

The village's liquor commissioner, Mayor Martin Tully, holds final approval over the license

"We're ecstatic," Jennifer Telitz said after the hearing.

The couple's path started in March, when they first appeared before the commission to apply for a license, only to learn that the specifics of their business did not fit any license currently on the books. Further complicating the issue, they said that they needed to secure the liquor license by July or they would have to vacate, per the terms of their lease.

Committee members told them to return the following month and present a detailed business plan.

At the April meeting, the commissioners went back and forth about the best way to proceed. They discussed the possibility of creating an entirely new license to fit Gnarly J's but they could not agree on what that license should entail.

Finally, Commissioner Daniel Austin proposed amending the village's entertainment license to include a provision for "recreational activities," allowing an establishment like Gnarly J's to serve alcohol.

The board narrowly approved that measure, as well as a motion to make another such license available. At the time, Rita's Roadhouse, just next door to Gnarly J's, held the only entertainment license in the village.

The village council ratified both of those changes last month, freeing up a license the couple could actually apply for.

Throughout the process, several officials have grilled the Telitzes on their security plans for the 18,000-square-foot facility, noting that the two previous building owners had numerous incidents requiring police response. Officials have also questioned them on their plan to only attract adults ages 25 and over and not market to younger adults.

To that end, Austin recommended they consider imposing a minimum age of 24 to enter.

"You would sure save yourself a ton of grief and aggravation," chairman Alice Strelau said, noting the less-than-stellar reputation of the location. "You would distinguish yourselves as not what they were, and that would be a great step forward."

Committee members, frustrated by an unusual number of disciplinary hearings in which businesses have been caught selling liquor to minors, wished the Telitzes success and gave them stern warnings before approving their license.

"Don't come back and tell us, 'It was a mistake,'" Strelau said, alluding to the frequent refrain from applicants explaining why they sold alcohol illegally.

Up until now, the facility had been hosting indoor volleyball leagues at the center. Now that they can serve liquor, they can also implement a full menu and add other activities, such as bags and billiards.

"I'm so relieved and excited," Nick Telitz said. "It's good that all the money in the last months hasn't been a waste, that we finally have this opportunity to provide for our kids."